Jake Gaudaur, who served as commissioner of the Canadian Football League from 1968 until 1984, died yesterday in a Burlington nursing home of prostate cancer. He was 87.

Jake Gaudaur, who served as commissioner of the Canadian Football League from 1968 until 1984, died yesterday in a Burlington nursing home of prostate cancer. He was 87.

Pete Martin was a linebacker with the Toronto Argonauts in the late 1960s and fondly remembers receiving a letter signed by Gaudaur after being ejected from a game with the Ottawa Rough Riders.

"It was a polite letter from Jake informing me that I was being fined $75," Martin recalled.

"I still have it and smile when I read it because I didn't feel very good about what I had done.

"But I've always thought Jake was a very, very classy man. He was always very friendly and he always remembered who you were. He was an incredible commissioner who really helped make the CFL what it is today."

Gaudaur was born Oct. 5, 1920 in Orillia. His father, Jacob, was a professional rowing champion and while Jake Gaudaur did follow in his father's footsteps initially, he also played hockey and lacrosse before blazing his own trail in Canadian pro football.

"He was a very humble and modest man, so he never spoke of his accomplishments," Diane Gaudaur said of her father. "I went through his scrapbooks a few weeks ago and I was quite stunned by all of his involvements.

"He was an accomplished athlete. But I don't think he was as great an athlete as he was an administrator because he commanded so much respect from people.

"It was hard to be rude to my father because he was such a gentle giant."

Gaudaur played for Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal, winning Grey Cups as a player with Toronto as well as in his final season with the Ticats in 1953.

Gaudaur, who served as a pilot in the Second World War, was named the CFL's fifth commissioner in 1968.

During his term, Gaudaur was instrumental in keeping the league a Canadian entity and resisted American influence by ensuring it maintained its Canadian rules and regulations.

He was also a determined negotiator, a quality that put the CFL on a more solid financial footing thanks to the radio and television deals he brokered.

It allowed the league to compete with the NFL for players such as Joe Theismann, who spurned the Miami Dolphins to sign with Toronto in the 1970s.

"The passing of Jake Gaudaur has left the CFL family with a heavy heart today," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement. "Jake's leadership and dedication to the CFL throughout his career were a great service to our league and to the sport of Canadian football."

Gaudaur was inducted into both the Toronto Argonauts and Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1985. Gaudaur is also a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Gaudaur is survived by his wife, Isabel, three daughters and seven grandchildren. Visitation will be held Friday at Smith Funeral Homes in Burlington from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

A private family service will be held Saturday.

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